Proposed Rule2023-28721
Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing Company Airplanes
Primary source
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Published
December 29, 2023
Issuing agencies
Transportation DepartmentFederal Aviation Administration
Abstract
The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD) for certain The Boeing Company Model MD-11 and MD-11F airplanes equipped with General Electric (GE) CF6-80C2D1F high-bypass turbofan engines. This proposed AD was prompted by a report of a Model MD-11F airplane experiencing an uncommanded deployment of a thrust reverser in-flight at low altitude. This proposed AD would require a one-time detailed inspection of the engine pylon thrust reverser control system wire harnesses and applicable on-condition actions. The proposed AD would also require repetitive detailed inspections and wire integrity tests of the engine thrust reverser control system wire harnesses (in the pylon), junction box and junction box cover, left side and right side thrust reverser electrical harnesses, core (engine compartment) miscellaneous wire harness assembly, and 30 degree bulkhead wire harness assembly; and applicable on-condition actions. This AD also requires reporting. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe condition on these products.
Full Text
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<title>Federal Register, Volume 88 Issue 249 (Friday, December 29, 2023)</title>
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[Federal Register Volume 88, Number 249 (Friday, December 29, 2023)]
[Proposed Rules]
[Pages 90134-90137]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [<a href="http://www.gpo.gov">www.gpo.gov</a>]
[FR Doc No: 2023-28721]
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DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Federal Aviation Administration
14 CFR Part 39
[Docket No. FAA-2023-2403; Project Identifier AD-2023-00888-T]
RIN 2120-AA64
Airworthiness Directives; The Boeing Company Airplanes
AGENCY: Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), DOT.
ACTION: Notice of proposed rulemaking (NPRM).
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SUMMARY: The FAA proposes to adopt a new airworthiness directive (AD)
for certain The Boeing Company Model MD-11 and MD-11F airplanes
equipped with General Electric (GE) CF6-80C2D1F high-bypass turbofan
engines. This proposed AD was prompted by a report of a Model MD-11F
airplane experiencing an uncommanded deployment of a thrust reverser
in-flight at low altitude. This proposed AD would require a one-time
detailed inspection of the engine pylon thrust reverser control system
wire harnesses and applicable on-condition actions. The proposed AD
would also require repetitive detailed inspections and wire integrity
tests of the engine thrust reverser control system wire harnesses (in
the pylon), junction box and junction box cover, left side and right
side thrust reverser electrical harnesses, core (engine compartment)
miscellaneous wire harness assembly, and 30 degree bulkhead wire
harness assembly; and applicable on-condition actions. This AD also
requires reporting. The FAA is proposing this AD to address the unsafe
condition on these products.
DATES: The FAA must receive comments on this proposed AD by February
12, 2024.
ADDRESSES: You may send comments, using the procedures found in 14 CFR
11.43 and 11.45, by any of the following methods:
<bullet> Federal eRulemaking Portal: Go to <a href="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a>. Follow
the instructions for submitting comments.
<bullet> Fax: 202-493-2251.
<bullet> Mail: U.S. Department of Transportation, Docket
Operations, M-30, West Building Ground Floor, Room W12-140, 1200 New
Jersey Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20590.
<bullet> Hand Delivery: Deliver to Mail address above between 9
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays.
AD Docket: You may examine the AD docket at <a href="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a> under
Docket No. FAA-2023-2403; or in person at Docket Operations between 9
a.m. and 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, except Federal holidays. The AD
docket contains this NPRM, any comments received, and other
information. The street address for Docket Operations is listed above.
Material Incorporated by Reference:
<bullet> For service information identified in this NPRM, contact
Boeing Commercial Airplanes, Attention: Contractual & Data Services
(C&DS), 2600 Westminster Blvd., MC 110-SK57, Seal Beach, CA 90740-5600;
telephone 562-797-1717; website <a href="http://myboeingfleet.com">myboeingfleet.com</a>.
<bullet> You may view this service information at the FAA,
Airworthiness Products Section, Operational Safety
[[Page 90135]]
Branch, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA. For information on the
availability of this material at the FAA, call 206-231-3195. It is also
available at <a href="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a> under Docket No. FAA-2023-2403.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Kevin Nguyen, Aviation Safety
Engineer, FAA, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA 98198; telephone
206-231-3555; email <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#f79c92819e99d99990828e9299b7919696d9909881"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="513a3427383f7f3f362428343f113730307f363e27">[email protected]</span></a>.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Comments Invited
The FAA invites you to send any written relevant data, views, or
arguments about this proposal. Send your comments to an address listed
under ADDRESSES. Include ``Docket No. FAA-2023-2403; Project Identifier
AD-2023-00888-T'' at the beginning of your comments. The most helpful
comments reference a specific portion of the proposal, explain the
reason for any recommended change, and include supporting data. The FAA
will consider all comments received by the closing date and may amend
this proposal because of those comments.
Except for Confidential Business Information (CBI) as described in
the following paragraph, and other information as described in 14 CFR
11.35, the FAA will post all comments received, without change, to
<a href="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a>, including any personal information you provide. The
agency will also post a report summarizing each substantive verbal
contact received about this NPRM.
Confidential Business Information
CBI is commercial or financial information that is both customarily
and actually treated as private by its owner. Under the Freedom of
Information Act (FOIA) (5 U.S.C. 552), CBI is exempt from public
disclosure. If your comments responsive to this NPRM contain commercial
or financial information that is customarily treated as private, that
you actually treat as private, and that is relevant or responsive to
this NPRM, it is important that you clearly designate the submitted
comments as CBI. Please mark each page of your submission containing
CBI as ``PROPIN.'' The FAA will treat such marked submissions as
confidential under the FOIA, and they will not be placed in the public
docket of this NPRM. Submissions containing CBI should be sent to Kevin
Nguyen, Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 2200 South 216th St., Des
Moines, WA 98198; telephone 206-231-3555; email <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#9ff4fae9f6f1b1f1f8eae6faf1dff9fefeb1f8f0e9"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="6c07091a050242020b191509022c0a0d0d420b031a">[email protected]</span></a>.
Any commentary that the FAA receives that is not specifically
designated as CBI will be placed in the public docket for this
rulemaking.
Background
The FAA has received a report of an MD-11F airplane equipped with
three GE CF6-80C2D1F high-bypass turbofan engines experiencing an in-
flight deployment of the (left) engine 1 thrust reverser at
approximately 500 feet above ground level. Both left and right
translating cowls of the thrust reverser deployed. In the Engine 1
pylon, damaged wiring was found, which could have caused or contributed
to the deployment of the two transcowls.
The FAA is issuing this AD to address uncommanded deployment of a
thrust reverser in flight at low altitude, which could result in loss
of control of the airplane and loss of continued safe flight and
landing.
FAA's Determination
The FAA is issuing this NPRM after determining that the unsafe
condition described previously is likely to exist or develop on other
products of the same type design.
Related Service Information Under 1 CFR Part 51
The FAA reviewed Boeing Alert Service Bulletin MD11-78A017, dated
December 4, 2023. This service information specifies work package 1
inspection procedures to do an initial detailed inspection of the
engine 1, engine 2, and engine 3 pylon thrust reverser control system
wire harnesses. The service information also specifies work package 2
procedures to do repetitive detailed inspections and wire integrity
tests at the following locations: engine 1, engine 2, and engine 3
thrust reverser control system wire harnesses (in the pylon); junction
box and junction box cover (only detailed inspection); left side and
right side thrust reverser electrical harnesses; core (engine
compartment) miscellaneous wire harness assembly; and 30 degree
bulkhead wire harness assembly. The service information also specifies
applicable on-condition actions (includes repairs, replacements,
installations, post-replacement inspections and tests, and return to
service tests). The service information also specifies that
accomplishing the initial inspections and tests by doing Action 1
through Action 3 in work package 2 terminates the need to do the
inspection in accordance with Part 2 as required in work package 1.
However, this substitution of actions does not change the compliance
time of work package 1 as specified in Table 1 of paragraph 1.E.,
``Compliance,'' of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin MD11-78A017, dated
December 4, 2023.
This service information is reasonably available because the
interested parties have access to it through their normal course of
business or by the means identified in ADDRESSES.
Proposed AD Requirements in This NPRM
This proposed AD would require accomplishing the actions identified
as ``RC'' (required for compliance) in the Accomplishment Instructions
of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin MD11-78A017, dated December 4, 2023,
already described and except for any differences identified as
exceptions in the regulatory text of this proposed AD. This proposed AD
also requires reporting findings to Boeing. For information on the
procedures and compliance times, see this service information at
<a href="http://regulations.gov">regulations.gov</a> under Docket No. FAA-2023-2403.
Interim Action
The FAA considers this proposed AD to be an interim action. The
reports that are required by this proposed AD will enable the
manufacturer to obtain better insight into the nature, cause, and
extent of the unsafe condition, and eventually to develop final action
to address the unsafe condition. If final action is later identified,
the FAA might consider further rulemaking.
Costs of Compliance
The FAA estimates that this AD, if adopted as proposed, would
affect 79 airplanes of U.S. registry. The FAA estimates the following
costs to comply with this proposed AD:
Estimated Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cost on U.S.
Action Labor cost Parts cost Cost per product operators
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Inspections and Tests............ Up to 78 work-hours $0 Up to $6,630 per Up to $523,770 per
x $85 per hour = Up inspection/test inspection/test
to $6,630 per cycle. cycle.
inspection/test
cycle.
[[Page 90136]]
Reporting........................ 1 work-hour x $85 0 85 per inspection/ 6,715 per inspection/
per hour = $85 per test cycle. test cycle.
inspection/test
cycle.
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The FAA estimates the following costs to do any necessary on-
condition actions that would be required based on the results of the
proposed inspections and tests. The agency has no way of determining
the number of aircraft that might need these repairs/replacements:
On-Condition Costs
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Action Labor cost Parts cost Cost per product
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Repairs/Replacements/Tests............... Up to 120 work-hours x $85 * $0 Up to $10,200.
per hour = up to $10,200.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
* The FAA has received no definitive data that would enable the FAA to provide a parts cost estimate for the on-
condition repairs/replacements specified in this proposed AD.
Paperwork Reduction Act
A federal agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not
required to respond to, nor shall a person be subject to penalty for
failure to comply with a collection of information subject to the
requirements of the Paperwork Reduction Act unless that collection of
information displays a currently valid OMB Control Number. The OMB
Control Number for this information collection is 2120-0056. Public
reporting for this collection of information is estimated to take
approximately 1 hour per response, including the time for reviewing
instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering and
maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing the
collection of information. All responses to this collection of
information are mandatory. Send comments regarding this burden estimate
or any other aspect of this collection of information, including
suggestions for reducing this burden, to Information Collection
Clearance Officer, Federal Aviation Administration, 10101 Hillwood
Parkway, Fort Worth, TX 76177-1524.
Authority for This Rulemaking
Title 49 of the United States Code specifies the FAA's authority to
issue rules on aviation safety. Subtitle I, section 106, describes the
authority of the FAA Administrator. Subtitle VII: Aviation Programs,
describes in more detail the scope of the Agency's authority.
The FAA is issuing this rulemaking under the authority described in
Subtitle VII, Part A, Subpart III, Section 44701: General requirements.
Under that section, Congress charges the FAA with promoting safe flight
of civil aircraft in air commerce by prescribing regulations for
practices, methods, and procedures the Administrator finds necessary
for safety in air commerce. This regulation is within the scope of that
authority because it addresses an unsafe condition that is likely to
exist or develop on products identified in this rulemaking action.
Regulatory Findings
The FAA determined that this proposed AD would not have federalism
implications under Executive Order 13132. This proposed AD would not
have a substantial direct effect on the States, on the relationship
between the national Government and the States, or on the distribution
of power and responsibilities among the various levels of government.
For the reasons discussed above, I certify this proposed
regulation:
(1) Is not a ``significant regulatory action'' under Executive
Order 12866,
(2) Would not affect intrastate aviation in Alaska, and
(3) Would not have a significant economic impact, positive or
negative, on a substantial number of small entities under the criteria
of the Regulatory Flexibility Act.
List of Subjects in 14 CFR Part 39
Air transportation, Aircraft, Aviation safety, Incorporation by
reference, Safety.
The Proposed Amendment
Accordingly, under the authority delegated to me by the
Administrator, the FAA proposes to amend 14 CFR part 39 as follows:
PART 39--AIRWORTHINESS DIRECTIVES
0
1. The authority citation for part 39 continues to read as follows:
Authority: 49 U.S.C. 106(g), 40113, 44701.
Sec. 39.13 [Amended]
0
2. The FAA amends Sec. 39.13 by adding the following new airworthiness
directive:
The Boeing Company: Docket No. FAA-2023-2403; Project Identifier AD-
2023-00888-T.
(a) Comments Due Date
The FAA must receive comments on this airworthiness directive
(AD) by February 12, 2024.
(b) Affected ADs
None.
(c) Applicability
This AD applies to The Boeing Company Model MD-11 and MD-11F
airplanes, certificated in any category, equipped with General
Electric (GE) CF6-80C2D1F high-bypass turbofan engines.
(d) Subject
Air Transport Association (ATA) of America Code 78, Engine
Exhaust.
(e) Unsafe Condition
This AD was prompted by a report of a Model MD-11F airplane
experiencing an uncommanded deployment of a thrust reverser at
approximately 500 feet above ground level. The FAA is issuing this
AD to address uncommanded deployment of a thrust reverser in-flight
at low altitude, which could result in loss of flight control of the
airplane and loss of continued safe flight and landing.
(f) Compliance
Comply with this AD within the compliance times specified,
unless already done.
(g) Required Actions
Except as specified in paragraph (h) of this AD: At the
applicable times specified in paragraph 1.E., ``Compliance,'' of
Boeing Alert Service Bulletin MD11-78A017, dated December 4, 2023,
do all applicable actions identified as ``RC'' (required for
compliance)
[[Page 90137]]
in, and in accordance with, the Accomplishment Instructions of
Boeing Alert Service Bulletin MD11-78A017, dated December 4, 2023.
(h) Exceptions to Service Information Specifications
(1) Where the Compliance Time columns of the tables in the
``Compliance'' paragraph of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin MD11-
78A017, dated December 4, 2023, use the phrase ``the original issue
date of this service bulletin,'' this AD requires using ``the
effective date of this AD.''
(2) Where step 6.c.(2)(a), ``CONDITION 14 OPTION 1 (ACTION 1)''
and step 6.c.(2)(b)4)d), ``CONDITION 14.4 OPTION 2 (ACTION 1)'' of
the Accomplishment Instructions of Boeing Service Bulletin MD11-
78017, dated December 4, 2023, specify to replace the junction box,
that replacement must be accomplished in accordance with ``PART 12:
JUNCTION BOX REPLACEMENT'' of the Accomplishment Instructions of
Boeing Service Bulletin MD11-78017, dated December 4, 2023.
(i) Reporting
At the applicable time specified in paragraph (i)(1) or (2) of
this AD, submit a report to The Boeing Company via the Boeing
Communication System (BCS) and include the information specified in
Appendix C of Boeing Alert Service Bulletin MD11-78A017, dated
December 4, 2023.
(1) If the inspection or test was done on or after the effective
date of this AD: Submit the report within 30 days after the
inspection or test.
(2) If the inspection or test was done before the effective date
of this AD: Submit the report within 30 days after the effective
date of this AD.
(j) Alternative Methods of Compliance (AMOCs)
(1) The Manager, AIR-520, Continued Operational Safety Branch,
FAA, has the authority to approve AMOCs for this AD, if requested
using the procedures found in 14 CFR 39.19. In accordance with 14
CFR 39.19, send your request to your principal inspector or
responsible Flight Standards Office, as appropriate. If sending
information directly to the manager of AIR-520, Continued
Operational Safety Branch, send it to the attention of the person
identified in paragraph (k) of this AD. Information may be emailed
to <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#d7eefa96999afa9b96969498fa969a9894fa85b2a6a2b2a4a3a497b1b6b6f9b0b8a1"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="9da4b0dcd3d0b0d1dcdcded2b0dcd0d2deb0cff8ece8f8eee9eeddfbfcfcb3faf2eb">[email protected]</span></a>.[FEDREG][VOL]*[/VOL][NO]*[/
NO][DATE]*[/DATE][PRORULES][PRORULE][PREAMB][AGENCY]*[/
AGENCY][SUBJECT]*[/SUBJECT][/PREAMB][SUPLINF][HED]*[/
HED][EXTRACT][P]*[/P]
(2) Before using any approved AMOC, notify your appropriate
principal inspector, or lacking a principal inspector, the manager
of the responsible Flight Standards Office.
(3) An AMOC that provides an acceptable level of safety may be
used for any repair, modification, or alteration required by this AD
if it is approved by The Boeing Company Organization Designation
Authorization (ODA) that has been authorized by the Manager, AIR-
520, Continued Operational Safety Branch, FAA, to make those
findings. To be approved, the repair method, modification deviation,
or alteration deviation must meet the certification basis of the
airplane, and the approval must specifically refer to this AD.
(4) Except as specified by paragraph (g) of this AD: For service
information that contains steps that are labeled as Required for
Compliance (RC), the provisions of paragraphs (j)(4)(i) and (ii) of
this AD apply.
(i) The steps labeled as RC, including substeps under an RC step
and any figures identified in an RC step, must be done to comply
with the AD. If a step or substep is labeled ``RC Exempt,'' then the
RC requirement is removed from that step or substep. An AMOC is
required for any deviations to RC steps, including substeps and
identified figures.
(ii) Steps not labeled as RC may be deviated from using accepted
methods in accordance with the operator's maintenance or inspection
program without obtaining approval of an AMOC, provided the RC
steps, including substeps and identified figures, can still be done
as specified, and the airplane can be put back in an airworthy
condition.
(k) Related Information
For more information about this AD, contact Kevin Nguyen,
Aviation Safety Engineer, FAA, 2200 South 216th St., Des Moines, WA
98198; telephone 206-231-3555; email <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#ed86889b8483c3838a98948883ad8b8c8cc38a829b"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="432826352a2d6d2d24363a262d032522226d242c35">[email protected]</span></a>.
(l) Material Incorporated by Reference
(1) The Director of the Federal Register approved the
incorporation by reference (IBR) of the service information listed
in this paragraph under 5 U.S.C. 552(a) and 1 CFR part 51.
(2) You must use this service information as applicable to do
the actions required by this AD, unless the AD specifies otherwise.
(i) Boeing Alert Service Bulletin MD11-78A017, dated December 4,
2023.
(ii) [Reserved]
(3) For service information identified in this AD, contact
Boeing Commercial Airplanes, Attention: Contractual & Data Services
(C&DS), 2600 Westminster Blvd., MC 110-SK57, Seal Beach, CA 90740-
5600; telephone 562-797-1717; website <a href="http://myboeingfleet.com">myboeingfleet.com</a>.
(4) You may view this service information at the FAA,
Airworthiness Products Section, Operational Safety Branch, 2200
South 216th St., Des Moines, WA. For information on the availability
of this material at the FAA, call 206-231-3195.
(5) You may view this material at the National Archives and
Records Administration (NARA). For information on the availability
of this material at NARA, visit <a href="http://www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations">www.archives.gov/federal-register/cfr/ibr-locations</a> or email <a href="/cdn-cgi/l/email-protection#2442560a4d4a57544147504d4b4a644a4556450a434b52"><span class="__cf_email__" data-cfemail="cea8bce0a7a0bdbeabadbaa7a1a08ea0afbcafe0a9a1b8">[email protected]</span></a>.
Issued on December 22, 2023.
Caitlin Locke,
Director, Compliance & Airworthiness Division, Aircraft Certification
Service.
[FR Doc. 2023-28721 Filed 12-28-23; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4910-13-P
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